Reading classic literature can be like opening a window into the past. Social expectations and people’s views on race and gender have changed so much in the last 50 years alone,that novels written decades ago generate a whole new sort of appeal. For example, women reading such novels as ”A Room With a View” by E.M Forster can almost laugh out loud at the behavior once required of the fairer sex. There are some classic novels that are excellent stories as well as sources of education about times before our own. The following is a list of novels that are as great now as they were when they were written, if not greater. These are not plot synopses, we wouldn’t want to spoil the book if you haven’t had a chance to read it.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

One of the greatest literary works of all time”The Great Gatsby” is now, 84 years after it was published in 1925, required reading in many a high school and college course. “The Great Gatsby” is a story set in 1920’s New York and is written from the perspective of a man named Nick Carroway. The novel starts as something of a mystery and builds into a sorry tale of unrequited love.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of “The Great Gatsby”, was an alcoholic and scholars say that he was most likely bi-polar. Despite Fitzgerald’s  personal disadvantages “The Great Gatsby” is a well rounded literary masterpiece that any lover of books should read at least once.

A Passage to India by E.M Forster

E.M Forster’s novels are often a commentary on the hypocrisy of stereotypes. With novels like ”A Room With a View” and “Howard’s End” Forster makes it clear how he perceived issues of class, gender and race, “A Passage to India” is no different. Published in 1924, “A Passage to India” is set in 1920’s India where racial stereotyping is turning the native Indians and ruling British against one another. The conflict reaches such a pitch that characters of the same race and class begin turning on each other. A story built around many unique characters and written using Forster’s personal knowledge of India “A Passage to India” is a lesson in racial conflict and its consequences. This novel should engage any enlightened reader.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens is one of the best known authors of all time. Despite some socially questionable choices Dickens made in his life he was as popular during his lifetime as he is today. Dickens’ novel “David Copperfield” was published in 1850 and is Dickens’ personal favorite of all the  novels he wrote, and he wrote many novels.

“David Copperfield” is the sweeping tale of a man’s life from the moment of his extraordinary birth  until his adulthood. The story follows all of the hopes, dreams, failures and successes of a man trying to live well on small means and stay out of debtors prison. Filled with colorful characters, “David Copperfield” covers all of the consequences of living and loving beyond your means while reminding us that there is always hope.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Emily Bronte was one of three sisters who had all written and published successful novels. Published in 1847 “Wuthering Heights” is Emily’s first and only novel, unfortunately she died before she was able to publish another. Written under the pseudonym Ellis Bell, “Wuthering Heights” is widely considered to be the best out of all of the Bronte sisters’ work.

Set primarily in a dismal marsh in a big dreary house, “Wuthering Heights” is a maddening story of betrayal and loss. This is the kind of story where it is difficult to tell the antagonist from the protagonist. Despite the rather dark tones of the novel “Wuthering Heights” is a story no reader should pass up.

Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger

No list of classic literature is complete without “The Catcher in the Rye”. “The Catcher in the Rye” was first published in 1951 and its main character Holden Caulfield’s name is synonymous with insanity. Even though Holden is a very malcontent-ed and confused young man, he is easy to like and understand (sometimes). While reading “Catcher in the Rye” the reader gets a glimpse of what it is like to be a young man who is mentally disturbed yet labelled as an under achiever. The only thing left to say about “Catcher in the Rye”is “Read this novel”.